Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. This is International Women's Day.
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International Women's Day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1977 to celebrate progress made to advance women's equality and to reflect on the challenges ahead. This year the theme is Ending Violence Against Women: Action for Real Results. This theme is especially important to us as we know that violence against women in intimate partner relationships in the NWT is five times the national average.
Mr. Speaker, this government has taken significant steps over the last four years to reduce incidents of family violence. We responded to the Coalition Against Family Violence Action Plan with a government framework for action and have implemented almost all of the actions in that framework.
We are proud of our accomplishments to date. Examples of these accomplishments include:
- • the implementation of the Protection Against Family Violence Act;
- • the development of a first response protocol in Yellowknife; and
- • a tool kit to help communities establish their own first response protocols.
However, Mr. Speaker, the real benefit has been the partnerships we have built along the way. Government cannot address incidents of family violence in isolation. Our community partners have the knowledge and the relationships to better analyze needs and potential solutions. Over the past three years, we have established strong working relationships with these partners through the Coalition Against Family Violence.
Since October of 2006, the Coalition Against Family Violence and the Government of the Northwest Territories have been working together to develop a phase II framework for action. Phase II will build on successes
from the first action plan and more completely address the needs of residents affected by family violence. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Members of the Coalition Against Family Violence for their work.
Mr. Speaker, partnerships with the other two territorial governments have allowed us to speak to the Government of Canada with one voice about the injustice of DIAND announcing increased funding for on-reserve shelters, but not increasing funding for shelters in the three territories that serve our aboriginal population.
As part of the annual International Women's Day celebrations, the Status of Women Council of the NWT acknowledges five women, one from each of our regions, who have been chosen by members of their community because of their contributions in advancing issues of significant importance to the North. I am pleased to have this opportunity to congratulate and recognize the recipients of this year's Annual Wise Women Awards. I would like to congratulate Rachael Mundy from the Beaufort-Delta; Bertha Deneron from the Deh Cho; Sue Heron-Herbert from North Slave; Julie Lennie from the Sahtu; and Dora E. Cardinal from the South Slave.
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Mr. Speaker, these women have worked tirelessly in their communities. It is because of the commitment of individuals like these in the NWT that we see real action and, therefore, real change.
Mr. Speaker, this year has been established the year of action to end violence against women. I encourage each Member of this House to reaffirm their commitment individually and as MLAs to work towards ending violence against women in this territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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